Three men rescued when vessel sinks

SITKA - Three men were rescued Sunday night when their vessel sank in Cross Sound.

The men were on board the Sea Hawk, traveling about 50 miles west of Juneau, when the boat began taking on water, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

When the men realized the boat's pumps were unable to keep up with the flooding, they turned the boat toward the beach and called for help on the radio, the Coast Guard said.

A helicopter was launched from Air Station Sitka just after 9 p.m. and arrived on scene to find the Sea Hawk grounded in shallow water about 50 yards offshore. All three men were safe on the beach, wearing survival suits, the Coast Guard said.

The helicopter landed on the beach, and rescue swimmer Jon Houlberg assisted them into the aircraft. All three men were cold, but otherwise unhurt.

The helicopter returned to Sitka, where the men were transferred to local authorities.